Kelsea Glynn is the Queen of the Tearling. Despite her youth, she has quickly asserted herself as a fair, just and powerful ruler.

However, power is a double-edged sword, and small actions can have grave consequences. In trying to do what is right – stopping a vile trade in humankind – Kelsea has crossed the Red Queen, a ruthless monarch whose rule is bound with dark magic and the spilling of blood. The Red Queen’s armies are poised to invade the Tearling, and it seems nothing can stop them.

Yet there was a time before the Crossing, and there Kelsea finds a strange and possibly dangerous ally, someone who might hold the key to the fate of the Tearling, and indeed to Kelsea’s own soul. But time is running out…

Erika Johansen’s fierce and unforgettable young heroine returns in this dazzling new novel of magic and adventure, set in the beguiling world of the Tearling.

My Review: *I finished this book on vacation and could not write this review for three days, I probably forgot stuff*

I listened to the first book in this trilogy in November and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It was exactly what I was in the mood for at the moment so I put the next book on hold and mid-December I was able to download this title. I listen to the first half at home over several short sessions and the last half in a marathon listen on my way to Chicago (on a train that was delayed three hours…).

Let’s start with the criticism first, like in my last review. Kelsea’s appearance resurfaces as a significant plot point and I still find it annoying. I began to see why and won’t go into details so I don’t spoil anything for you. However, just because I get the why does not mean I accept the focus on her looks is acceptable. The other problem I had was not necessarily the book’s problem but perhaps the format. This book is divided between flashbacks to before the Tearling and current day Tearling. I think in print the division between the two sections would have been easier to distinguish. I wish they would have given the listeners a clue as to when the flashbacks start.

Moving on to what I enjoyed about book two… I was thrilled to have the flashback sections despite how dark, gritty, and violent they could be. We learn a lot about the state of the world before the Tearling began and all I have to say is WOW. I could totally see our society becoming this world. Easily. At times it feels like we might be a quarter of the way there already. The other plot line that I also found interesting revolved around the relationship between Kelsea and the Church. This was super juicy and loved how Kelsea handled them. I can’t remember his name but the priest that was “assigned” to the castle but his role continues to hold my interest and the way book two leaves his character has me worried about him.

The book definitely took a darker turn in book two and has some pretty graphic moments that might be triggers for some people. The biggest being domestic violence and rape, if those are a difficult subject matter for you then you might not want to read this book. If you can handle it then this was a good read and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I am eagerly awaiting the last book in the trilogy to find out how this all ends.